Page 22 of Dark Mafia Vows

The weight of their hesitation hangs in the air between us.

I feel a lump forming in my throat. “You’re scaring me. What is it?”

Mark shifts uncomfortably in his seat. “We’ve decided...it’s best if we withdraw our support for your bakery.” His words hit me like ice water, freezing the moment.

I had a feeling that this would happen, but still, it doesn’t shake the shock that rolls through me.

“Withdraw?” I repeat before protesting in a slightly raised voice. “But I thought we were a team!”

“I know, I know,” he replies quickly, his eyes darting around the café again. “But with the scandal, we can’t afford to be associated with you right now. It’s...it’s just too risky for us.”

Tears burn in my eyes, and I struggle to keep them at bay.

“Please just...” I pause to grit my teeth. “The situation with my family is only temporary, and it has nothing to do with the bakery--”

“It has everything to do with it,” Mark says, then sighs. “Your family’s name has a bad rep right now. Our own businesses will be affected if we proceed with this partnership with you.”

“My family’s problems don’t concern you in any way,” I say in a hard voice. “It’s not as if we’re opening a business together or something. I’ll do my own thing while being a part of the union. I just need to be in a community.”

I hate how desperate my voice sounds. I hate that they’re right. This is going to affect their businesses, as well.

I grab Lucy’s hand, grasping for the last straws of compassion.

“You know it’s literally impossible for me to start my business here if I don’t have support from a union,” I tell her. She’s always been kindhearted. She’ll understand.

“Ginny.” She doesn’t look into my eyes. “I think it’s really selfish of you to even argue with us on this. You come from a wealthy family. Though you’re facing some mishaps, you’ll be able to recover from this.”

I pull my hand away from hers, her words chaffing at my heart.

“However,” she continues, turning to look at me, “if we get dragged down into your mess, our businesses may never recover.”

Her words sting even more than the betrayal I feel. I bite my lower lip till it draws blood. My frustration bubbles over, and in a moment of clumsiness, I knock over my coffee cup. The dark liquid spills across the table. Just what I needed. I fumble to grab napkins, my face burning with humiliation as I wipe up the liquid.

Sophia speaks up for the first time, her expression filled with genuine regret. “We’re really sorry, Ginny. We wanted to help, but we have to think about our own businesses, too.”

I look at them, feeling the sting of betrayal wash over me. I’ve always admired Lucy’s passion and resilience, Mark’s business acumen, and Sophia with her gentle demeanor was like a sister to me. But now, they’re treating me like a pariah. “So, that’s it? You’re just going to leave me to fend for myself?”

They exchange glances, distress etched on their faces. Lucy leans forward, her voice barely above a whisper. “We wish it could be different, truly. But we can’t be seen around you right now.”

The weight of their words crushes me. I sit back in my chair, the warmth of the coffee shop suddenly feeling cold. I can’t believe they’re kicking me out of the community they promised would offer support.

“Fine,” I say, forcing the words out between clenched teeth. “If that’s how you feel, then I guess there’s nothing more to say.”

As I stand to leave, I catch a glimpse of their faces—averted eyes, shameful expressions—and the anger hits me hard. They don’t have any right to look as if they regret what they did. If they could do it again, they would.

I feel the anger bubbling up inside me as I walk out. I had trusted them and believed they would stand by me. Now, I’m left to grapple with the harsh reality that even those I thought were allies can turn their backs when things get tough.

As I step out into the bustling street, the sunlight feels harsh against my skin. My mind is racing, and I need someone to talk to, even if it’s to vent my frustrations.

When I slip into Lorenzo’s car, I dial Rinaldo’s number, my heart pounding. I know he’s not the most affectionate person sometimes, but he knows how much this bakery meant to me. I’dcall Lorenzo, but he’s been too busy, and I don’t want to bother him.

The moment Rinaldo answers, I don’t hold back. “Rinaldo, you won’t believe what just happened. The building I was planning to buy got sold. I wasn’t even informed that there was a new competitor. And now, the Bakers United kicked me out of their union.” I chuckle humorlessly as a tear slips down my cheek. “They just abandoned me. I also think that asshole Dario is trying to sabotage me again. I hate him!”

“Ginny, calm down,” he replies, his voice annoyingly calm. “Dario? Do you mean Dario De Luca? Why would he try to sabotage your little bakery business?”

“What?” I exhale a breath, a jaw in my head ticking at the genuine disbelief in his tone.

“He might be your brother’s rival, but I don’t think he has the time to involve you in their mess.”

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